A bilateral amputee from a freak bomb blast in 2002, Malvika Iyer is an Award-winning Disability Rights Activist with a doctorate in Social Work. She is an International Motivational Speaker, a TEDx Speaker, a member of the United Nations IANYD’s Working Group on Youth and Gender Equality, a Model for Accessible Fashion and a Global Shaper at the Global Shapers Community (an initiative of the World Economic Forum). She is an Advocate for Inclusion and Gender. Her work has been recognized widely, including an honor from the President of India- Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, a standing ovation for her motivational speech at the United Nations, and the ‘Women In The World’ Emerging Leader Award in New York. She has been the subject of numerous newspaper articles and books, even finding a place among the 100 Change Agents and Newsmakers of the Decade.

Dr. Malvika Iyer

“I learnt to embrace everyinch, every scar and every emotion.”

Contact email: malvika_iyer@yahoo.co.in

A bilateral amputee from a freak bomb blast in 2002, Malvika Iyer is an Award-winning Disability Rights Activist with a Doctorate in Social Work. She is an International Motivational Speaker, a TEDx Speaker, a member of the United Nations IANYD’s Working Group on Youth and Gender Equality, a Model for Accessible Fashion and a Global Shaper at the Global Shapers Community (an initiative of the World Economic Forum). She is an Advocate for Inclusion and Gender. Her work has been recognized widely, including an honor from the President of India- Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, a standing ovation for her motivational speech at the United Nations, and the ‘Women In The World’ Emerging Leader Award in New York. She has been the subject of numerous newspaper articles and books, even finding a place among the 100 Change Agents and Newsmakers of the Decade. She studied Economics at St. Stephen’s College, Delhi followed by a Master’s in Social Work at the Delhi School of Social Work. She did her M.Phil in Social Work at the Madras School of Social Work.

Career goal: To work towards building an inclusive society, particularly to address the attitudes and perceptions with regards to disability and gender.Follow @MalvikaIyer

Invited to deliver a Motivational Speech at the United Nations Headquarters, New York

Honored with the first Women in the World Emerging Leaders Award at the 7th Annual Women in the World Summit, New York

One among the 100 Change Agents and Newsmakers of the decade (Deccan Chronicle 28-03-2015)

Global Shaper (An initiative of the World Economic Forum)

Honored by the President of India, Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam at Rashtrapati Bhavan

Featured in ‘YES, WE CAN!’ 100 Inspiring Stories of Differently Abled Entrepreneurs by Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities- Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India

One among the 20 women achievers selected to attend the Women in the World Summit, in association with the New York Times at New Delhi #WITW

Featured in Women of Pure Wonder – Vision. Valour. Victory. – Vodafone Foundation’s coffee table book featuring 50 inspirational women from across the country who’ve emerged as game changers in their chosen field

Show stopper for accessible clothing in India (An initiative of Ability Foundation- NIFT)

Acted in a short film ‘The Phoenix’ on the theme ‘Celebrate Inclusion; Celebrate Life’ directed by her mother (Ms. Hema Krishnan) shortlisted for ABILITYFEST 2013 (An India- International Disability Film Festival)